A South Korean court has ruled the killing of dogs for meat is illegal, in a landmark decision which animal rights activists said could pave the way to outlawing eating canines.

The meat has long been a part of South Korean cuisine, with about one million dogs eaten annually.

But animal rights group Care last year filed complaints against a dog farm operator in Bucheon, accusing him of 'killing animals without proper reasons' and violating building and hygiene regulations.

He was convicted by the Bucheon City court, which ruled that meat consumption was not a legal reason to kill dogs, and fined him three million won (£2,100). He waived his right to appeal.

Consumption has declined in South Korea with the practice now something of a taboo among younger generations and pressure from activists mounting.

Authorities have invoked hygiene regulations or animal protection laws that ban cruel slaughter methods to crack down on dog farms and restaurants ahead of international events such as the Pyeongchang Olympics.

Care lawyer Kim Kyung-eun welcomed the ruling, made in April but with details only released this week.

She said: 'It is very significant in that it is the first court decision that killing dogs for dog meat is illegal itself.' The precedent 'paved the way for outlawing dog meat consumption entirely', she added.

Care leader Park So-youn said her group was tracking down dog farms and slaughter houses across the country with a view to filing similar complaints against them to judicial authorities.